Unintelligible Ramblings

Anonymous asked: i find it really difficult to look at this blog without my heart lurching :(

I hate that I can have this kind of effect on someone. I don’t know if this is my fault or yours. If it’s mine then I’m sorry and I never meant to have a saddening impact on anyone in my life. I can’t really do anything to make up for the sadness you feel if I don’t know who you are though. But then again, perhaps I wouldn’t be able to even if I did.

Best procrastinator ever.

Yeah, that pretty much says it.

New Blog

Just cause i’m difficult like that. I like to keep my thoughts and ideas on different topics separate from each other. Especially when I have so much to say on a single topic. So here you go.

mereatheism.tumblr.com

Anonymous asked: Do you miss anyone from your past?

Some people, yes. My father. Some people I would like to still call friend but they have drifted on. I don’t miss anyone I loved (or close to) (romanticly). We had good times, but life goes on and I am happy now. I miss some friends who no longer have the time for me. Or those that think my mind lends to perversions when it only really seeks friendship. Those friends i would have back if they would have me.

An interesting Christian approach to homosexual theology.

Fore notes

Summary: I have heard too many conflicting arguments on how homosexuality fits into the bible. I’ve seen too many Christians preach tolerance but practice separation and I know too many Christians who have no idea what the bible says on the topic, myself included. As such, I thought I would have a crack at piecing it together for myself, and anyone else (assumedly Christians) who are interested in what I have found.

Disclaimer: Sorry in advance for using wrong terms (by which I mean anything offensive) because I am sure I have. I don’t mean to cause offence, but I won’t know until I am corrected, so please do.

On that note, I have attempted not to use gender specific phrases or examples; however the bible is a gender specific book. Again, I have no intention to cause offence or re-enforce the patriarchy, I see all people as equals, though again, I won’t know if I’m being offensive until someone is so kind as to correct my honest mistakes.

Please keep in mind that I am by no means an expert. I am still forming my views and if you take any of what I say as a whole and true representation of the word of God then <insert snide remarks about your intelligence here>.

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Call me a traditionalist, but I like to start a book somewhere close to the beginning, so with that in mind let’s start this invitation for hate mail in the third book of this bible at Leviticus 18:22. ‘Do not lie with a man as one lies with a woman; that is detestable’. This is probably a good time to point out that this passage (as most of the bible), is written to males, though it extends equally to the female case. In this context, this is just one of a great many verses in the first few books that refer to homosexual sex as a sin. A clear, unambiguous start, stating that homosexuality is a sin; setting down the basis for a lot of hate, separation and fear. Unfortunately this is where a few people stop reading.

I say unfortunately because I believe that this is missing a lot of the answer, at which point Romans 3:23 is happily thrown into the pot. ‘For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God’. Keyword; All. In case you haven’t picked up on it already, this includes you. While some people point out queer people as though they are worse then themselves, in the eyes of God we have all failed at the task of following his laws. We may have broken different laws, but the result is the same. (Romans 6:23 - For the wages of sin is death)

Fortunately for us sinners, we have all been gifted forgiveness, shown in Romans 5:8, ‘But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.’ i.e. the basic bible message of forgiveness for all who seek it, including queer people.

“But William you charismatic stallion”, I hear you saying. “1 Corinthians 6:18-20 says that homosexuality is a sin against the body of Christ (Flee from sexual immorality. All other sins a man commits are outside his body, but he who sins sexually sins against his own body. Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore honour God with your body). Shouldn’t homosexuality be treated differently to other sin?”

Firstly, no; homosexual sex is sin against the body of Christ, not homosexuality. An abstinent queer Christian may be showing tremendous restraint and respect of the law of God. Homosexuality in itself is irrelevant.

All people are born broken and flawed, tending to break the laws of God in different ways; however, in the words of 1 Corinthians 10:13 – “No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And god is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted he will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it.” Being queer is not a sin, it never has been. Having homosexual sex is; however there is always the ability to resist that temptation.

Secondly, yes, homosexual sex should be treated differently. Homosexual sex IS a sin against the body of Christ as 1 Corinthians 6:18 says, just as extra-marital sex. However, the different treatment demonstrated by Christ, was to seek these people out, to engage with them and find ways of loving them. Good thing too, I am one of them. Jesus, God’s Anointed One, was anointed by a prostitute. By a girl who sinned sexual sins against her own body. If you’re questioning this you’re not alone, the Pharisees also questioned it leading to a lovely little parable in Luke 7:39-50. The punch line of this, Jesus forgives everyone equally. In fact it goes on to say that those who are forgiven of more, will love more in return.

Wondering where this young lady-of-the-night fits in to the bigger picture? You can see in John 11:2 that she is Mary, sister of Lazarus, one of J-Dog’s best mates. As you are hopefully picking up on, Jesus did treat the sexually immoral differently. Just unlike (some) more modern examples of Christian treatment of queer people, he didn’t hold rallies or avoid them like the plague, he made them his family, loving them dearly.

In fact, Jesus rides the ‘love one another’ train all the way into commandment station and left us with John 13:34-35, ‘A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this all men will know that you are my disciples’.

Unfortunately we live in a world where Christians are not known for their love for one another in regards to queer people, we are known, typically, for our collective hatred and lack of acceptance or respect. If you treat a queer man or woman with the love of Christ I don’t imagine that their first thought will be ‘wow, this guy/lass must be a Christian’. Now if Jesus said to follow his example of love, and that isn’t the perception of the world, then I would conclude that we are getting this whole ‘love’ business wrong

So what does this big, old book I insist on referring to have to say about love? Well it mentions love 333 times, which is about 330 more then I planned on researching so forgive me if I miss a better example, but for our purposes I believe this lovely little list out of 1 Corinthians 13:4-6 will explain biblical love pretty well. ‘Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.’

“But dearest Wilhelm, surely this is just a metaphorical list? Who could possibly do all of that jazz?” Well Assumed-Voice-of-Reader, if you sub Jesus’ name into the list in place of the word love you’ll find that it still reads pretty well. And seeing as the example of J-rizzle is what we have been called to follow, I think it’s reasonably safe to take that list seriously.

So a re-cap for those who are playing along at home;

• Homosexuality – Irrelevant
• Homosexual sex – Serious Sexual Sin (note: alliteration), just like sex outside of marriage
• Christians aren’t known for our love towards the queer community
• This means that we are also doing something horribly wrong
• This is bad / important

However, finishing here would leave more loose ends then a ball of string that’s been shredded, so lets see if I can cover a few of the most common points of disagreement, or at the very least, start some wicked arguments. Please note once again, that I am not claiming any great revelation or divine inspiration, this is just where my thinking is up to at the moment. If you take my word as scripture then you should get ‘Sheep’ tattooed on your forehead in big red letters.

God hates sin, and aren’t we called to do his work? Shouldn’t we hate queer people?

Jesus didn’t cruise the streets bashing sinners and holding rallies, and you should be damn happy he didn’t because the above category includes yourself. Feel free to hate the sin, but love the people with all your heart. It is not your calling to take revenge, (Romans 12:19 - Do not take revenge, my friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: “It is mine to avenge; I will repay,” says the Lord) but to love (John 13:34-35). To treat queer men and women any differently to yourself or others, is it set yourself above them, and whilst Jesus didn’t say much directly in regards to the treatment of queer folk, a lot is said in regards to humility (he was a fan). Unless you really want people hating you for your sin, maybe you should leave your torch and pitchfork in the barn redneck.

Can you be born queer?

I’m going to be honest here and say that I have very little biblical basis for saying this, but I believe so. This view is coming from a few places, firstly (and most questionably), from Matthew 19:11-12 where it says, ‘Not everyone can accept this teaching, but only those to whom it is given. For there are eunuchs who have been so from birth’. As far as I am aware, in ancient Jewish culture a ‘natural’ or ‘born’ eunuch was a reference to men who were particularly effeminate or queer, from which it could be reasonably drawn that God is saying that you can be born queer, and if so, don’t get married (marriage is the context of the passage). However, there is a lot of ‘IF’ coming off this passage. I am by no means an expert in hermeneutics nor am I an expert on Jewish culture… moving on…

While the bible seems a little vague in this spot, it is more clear on the topic of everyone being born broken and sinful. Now if everyone is born with tendencies towards different sin, and we have already established that the bible treats homosexual sex like any other sin, is it such a stretch to think that people are born with that desire? The most common counter argument I have seen to this is that a loving God wouldn’t make his children this way. A loving God made me wanting to lie, steal and hate (amongst a long and unenviable list); why draw the line at being attracted to other guys/girls? Because queers are always queer? I’m always hateful… where is the difference?

This next somewhat anti-climactic paragraph is on science. Oh, yes, I’m going there. I may be one of those bible bashing Jesus freaks, but I fail to see why I should disbelieve what has been proven to me. To quote Einstein (by all accounts a reasonably intelligent chap), ‘religion without science is blind’.

I have heard supposedly well sourced views for both sides of this argument, and I’m not a scientist. Far more intelligent and well-informed people then I are happy to throw the science of this in the ‘disputable’ bucket so I am happy to leave it there.

Will queer people who turn to Christ turn straight?

I have heard second and third hand accounts of this happening, though I have heard second and third hand accounts of ghosts, aliens and the loch ness monster; so needless to say I’m not going to be basing my opinion upon those. I don’t believe it to be true in the general case, and I don’t think it is really important. Breaking Gods laws shows rebellion against God, so the opposite of homosexuality is not heterosexuality, it is holiness. Though that sounds a lot more vicious then it should be in the context of everyone alive being in the same boat. I had buckets full of lustful desire before I was a Christian, and I have only very marginally smaller buckets full of lustful desire now. If some people find that they can easily overcome some desire in Christ, then that is fantastic. If some find their true identity in Christ, that is great too; but I have trouble drawing the connection between following Christ and either the complete removal of sinful desire or a distinct change in character, because that is not a common occurrence in my direct experience.

Queer marriage?

I’m not really comfortable with where I am on this one yet, I feel as though I am missing a lot of important points and I am not ready to side one way or the other. Queer union; of course. I see civil union as a basic right. Civil union is legal in the ACT and as far as I can see, similar programs are running in Victoria and Tasmania. However, as I understand it, even these unions are not generally recognised by other Australian states.

I hold marriage in a different light because I see it as a religious ceremony. I have heard arguments about how marriage has evolved from its roots and should no longer be bound by them; however I am somewhat uncomfortable with this view. While marriage as a tradition may by socially adaptive, I do not believe marriage as described by the bible is so flexible.

While I am sure after reading that, many of you are hoping that I fall and break my neck while I step down from my high horse, I will continue by saying that this line of argument is by no means entirely invalid. A great many other groups that have no Christian religious intent or belief still need to be married to be legally joined (for example, Australia’s atheist majority). Instead of giving yet another exception to clearly defined rules by allowing queer couples to marry, regardless of the prescribed requirements of the bible, how about non-denominational union as an option for everyone? If a marriage isn’t really a marriage without God, then most regular man-and-woman-and-a-white-cake-with-figurines marriages aren’t real in a biblical sense either.

In summary, the bible says no to marriage (possibly), however the inequality of the current system of marriage and unions is creating a second-class citizenship for our queer brothers and sisters and that isn’t right either.

All this aside, a few wise folk decided years ago that the church should be run separate to the state, and whilst neither major party currently supports same-sex marriage, the last major poll I have seen on the topic (galaxy – June 2009) places 60% of Australians supporting the idea. Christians should follow the law to be wed (Romans 13:1-2), though I don’t know that that necessitates biblical passage being indoctrinated into Australian Law.

Queer preachers?

There are two passages that I will be drawing from here, 1 timothy 3:1-13 and Titus 1:5-9. For those who will trust my word (Pro tip: don’t), they are passages describing the requirements of being an elder in the church. From these, there are three conflicts that are regularly brought up; these being that queer Christians;

1. cannot be blameless/beyond reproach,
2. cannot be parents, and
3. cannot be husband and wife.

Firstly, I believe a queer Christian can be as blameless as any heterosexual preacher. All people have sinful desires that they choose to or not to follow, and if a queer man (or woman, though that is another argument entirely) chooses to stay abstinent to honour Gods word then in that area at least he is blameless. Both passages call for self-control and discipline and such an act would be a tremendous example of both.

While a queer Christian may not be able to be a biological parent, neither can many heterosexual couples. All Christians are adopted into Christ’s family, just as Jesus himself was adopted by Joseph, and in all cases adopted children are treated as biological children.

However, as noted in the section above, ‘the husband of but one wife’ part will likely cause issues. I have a feeling I’m missing something here, so I don’t want to say anything definitive until I have gone further with this. For now, I am happy with #1 and #2, and not yet sure about #3.

If I had to state my current views as of today (with a notedly shaky biblical basis), I am happy with a queer preacher, but not happy with an actively queer preacher. Just as I would be comfortable with a preacher who admitted to having issues with lust or any other temptation, but wouldn’t be comfortable one who was falling to that desire.

But queer couples can’t have kids!

Seriously? Ok, I may be missing something here, but this line of thought has always confused me… Last time I checked marriage certificates weren’t posted pending a fertility test. There are plenty of straight couples that can’t have kids, why draw the line? Because the human race will die out? Homosexuality was far more common in the times the bible was written then it is now, and unless I am very much mistaken we are all still here. Queer couples can still adopt children as mentioned above (Legally only in ACT and WA).

While I’m here… ‘gay’ is not an insult, so don’t use it as one. I’m not going to act like I’m good with this one, because I’m not.

Clearly none of us have perfect views, and I’m not claiming to either. Don’t get offended if you think that I am wrong, instead, please be happy that I’m trying and help me along my way.

Once again, if you think that I have some type of divide revelation, then I know some Nigerian bankers who have an attractive business opportunity you might be interested in.

Anonymous asked: Where were you and what were you doing on the night of March 11 of this year?

I believe it was the birthday of a good friend. Can’t remember how we celebrated it.